Route 66 is Brewtiful

From a Michelin starred gastropub in Chicago to a nostalgic Route 66-themed brewery in Wilmington, there are no shortage of innovative breweries along The First Hundred Miles. From new takes on traditional flavors to truly groundbreaking small-batch craft beer, there’s something for every palate at these 12 must-see breweries.

 MOODY TONGUE BREWING

COMPANY

2515 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL Looking for a brewery with a refined palate? Chicago’s own Moody Tongue Brewing Company was given two coveted Michelin stars in 2020, only the second American brewpub to receive such an honor. Chef Jared Wentworth has developed a winning tasting menu dining concept, housed directly inside the popular brewery building. Each course of this ingredient-driven menu is paired with a signature beer, echoing Moody Tounge’s commitment to culinary brewing. Beyond this innovative dining option, you’ll find a highly varied line of artisanal beers, inspired by tastes from nearly every corner of the globe. Look for novel beers like their Toasted Rice Lager and Shaved Black Truffle Pilsner, or a decadent Bourbon Barrel Aged 12 Layer Cake Imperial Stout.

 MARZ COMMUNITY

BREWING CO.

3630 S Iron St, Chicago, IL Cool warehouse vibes emanate from this community conscious brewery located in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side. Enjoy a cold craft beverage while you watch the intricate brewing process, visible from behind a large glass partition inside Marz’s restaurant. Beyond serving up an ever-revolving selection of inspired beers, Marz is committed to making batches of beer in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. The result: experimental and accessible beers, perfect for any palate. Located in a great throwback area of the city, this unique warehouse brewery is a must visit location for Route 66 travelers.

 FLAPJACK BREWERY 6833 Stanley Ave, Berwyn, IL Wood fired pizza compliments the fresh beer on tap at Berwyn’s Flapjack Brewery. Here you’ll find made to order wood fired pies pairing perfectly with Flapjack’s wide variety of small batch beers. Sporting a revolving tap, from hoppy IPAs to rich coffee stouts, there’s no shortage of options for craft beer lovers to explore. Stop by on Sundays from noon to 5pm to taste their housemade specialty sandwich, called a ‘panuozzo’, cooked fresh on their wood fire grill. Choose from indoor and outdoor seating, or grab a crowler from their beer-to-go menu offering you the freshest brews that you can enjoy back at your home or hotel room.

 BLACK HORIZON BREWING CO. 7560 S Quincy St, Willowbrook, IL You’ll find a real passion for craft brewing at Black Horizon Brewing Co., where you’ll find the owner/brewers tending bar and talking shop with their legion of local fans. Dubbed ‘a small microbrewery,’ Black Horizon has been turning out award winning barrel aged beer since its inception. Featuring a rotating variety of new and old favorites, you never know what craft concoction you’ll find on tap. Black Horizon’s relaxed taproom atmosphere is the perfect place to take a load off and play a selection from their libraries of board games and vintage video games, ideal after a long day on Route 66. Find a new favorite? Flights, howlers, growlers and 4 pack cans are also offered to go. Don’t miss their ‘Trifecta’ sampler, consisting of three 5oz pours per order.

 MISKATONIC BREWING CO. 1000 N Frontage Road C, Darien, IL This HP Lovecraft-inspired brewery is perfect for fans of horror or the macabre, or any small-batch craft beer enthusiasts. Hidden in an industrial area, just off Route 66, Miskatonic Brewing Company offers up some of the finest brews along the Mother Road. The taproom features up to thirteen craft beers at one time, alongside a line of cider and hard seltzer selections. You’ll also find dog-friendly outdoor seating and in-depth brewery tours, which include tastings and souvenirs. Growlers and cans available to go, so you can take a liquid souvenir with you along your Route 66 trip.  SKELETON KEY BREWERY 8102 Lemont Road #300, Woodridge, IL With a focus on education, you can drop in and sample some of the craft brew that Skeleton Key Brewery in Darien, Illinois has to offer. Courses offered for the home enthusiast as well as a full immersion, twelve-week course for the more serious crafters including the business side of brewing. Patio seating on a first come basis, weather permitting. Follow them on-line for the latest offerings and educational events.

 GARAGE BAND BREWING 15025 S Des Plaines St, 1B, Plainfield, IL Started by two friends who shared a love of beer, Plainfield’s Garage Band Brewing is dedicated to crafting high quality beer using locally sourced ingredients. With just one taste, you’ll understand why Garage Band invests so much time and care into sourcing and developing each one of their brews. These fan favorite cold tap beers are supplemented by a small snack selection and cans to-go.

Located in downtown Plainfield, you’re within walking distance of a wide variety of boutique shopping and dining options, making Garage Band a great place to pull over and stretch your legs.

 MAD HATCHET BREWING 913 Brook Forest Ave, Shorewood, IL Come enjoy the experimental brews being concocted at Shorewood’s Mad Hatchet Brewing. Offering a wide selection of IPAs, stouts, and everything in between, Mad Hatchet’s sure to have something on tap to please every craft beer fan. Family owned and operated, they offer a friendly taproom-style atmosphere to complement their tasty beers and great service. Looking for a bite to pair with your beer? Mad Hatchet features regular food truck events outside the brewery.

 WILL COUNTY BREWING

COMPANY

1142 W Jefferson St, Shorewood, IL With over sixteen craft beers on tap including cider, the Will County Brewing Company is easy to find from Route 66. Since it’s opening in 2016, this spot has been the top pick in local ‘Readers Choice Awards’, as well as earning top craft awards at several midwest beer festivals. You’ll find friendly service and a wide selection of revolving beers, along with a large bar, tasting room and a visible production area. Will County Brewing Company’s motto is ‘Craft. Community. Charity.’, so contribute to the communities along Route 66 by visiting this comfortable brewery.

 MYGRAIN BREWING CO-JOLIET 50 E Jefferson St, 106, Joliet, IL Located in Joliet’s historic Downtown, you can’t miss this train station turned brewpub, featuring a breathtaking turnof-the-century facade. You’ll be just as struck by MyGrain’s taproom ambiance as their fantastic line of house beers and elevated bar fare. Staple beers named Iron & Steel American IPA and City of Stone Farmhouse Saison show MyGrain’s dedication to preserving the history of this historic community. You’ll also find a full menu featuring starters, salads, burgers and more, alongside a selection of craft cocktails and wines for the nonbeer drinkers on road trip. MyGrain's Sunday brunch is a local favorite, serving up everything from eggs benedict to generously-cut bacon. On this expansive menu, you’ll find some gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options too. Don’t miss this full-service brewery and gastropub located directly on Historic Route 66.

 ELDER BREWING COMPANY-JOLIET 218 E Cass St, Joliet, IL Featuring over fourteen on-tap selections, as well as some excellent canned beer options, Joliet’s Elder Brewing Company is a comfortable and hip indoor-outdoor taproom space perfect for taking a break on your travels. Popcorn is always free at Elder, and local food delivery is available from several nearby restaurants, giving this space a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. A recently added 1,100 square feet event space opened in 2018 directly adjacent to the building, which hosts concerts and events.

 ROUTE 66 OLD SCHOOL BREWING

110 Bridge St, Wilmington, IL What better way to celebrate a trip along the Mother Road than a stop at the aptly named Route 66 Old School Brewing in Wilmington? Overseen by a silver medal Master Brewer, this twelve-tap tasting room offers something for everyone’s palate. You’ll find a line of thoughtfully crafted and delicious beers, concocted by Pauly Bidne, founding member of the Joliet Brewers Guild. Beyond a great selection of highly drinkable beers, Route 66 Old School Brewing maybe offers rather than sports a nostalgic vanilla colored façade and a comfortable taproom interior. Be sure to pick up a crowler or growler to take home as a souvenir of this popular 66-themed brewery.